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73Comments

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Information About Away in a Manger

The first two verses of "Away in a Manger" were originally published in a Lutheran Sunday school book in 1885. Two years later, James R. Murray published it as "Luther's Cradle Hymn,' thus creating the misconception that Martin Luther had written it. Although some attribute the words to Luther, they are usually considered American anonymous. Some credit the music to Murray; others think he merely harmonized an old German folk song. the words are frequently sung to the tune of the Scottish song "Flow Gently Sweet Afton".

Alternative Lyrics & Related Songs

Another version with a few changes to the words

Away In a Manger
Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the heavens
Looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing,
The poor Baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus,
No crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus;
Look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle
Till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus;
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray!
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven
To live with Thee there.

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the heavens
Looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay.

Listen to this song's music

73 Comments

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Thomas, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the

27 March 2015 at 1:05pm

So cute! Kirsten just loves baby Jesus, she carries him evrywehere. I see Caroline is still in her infant seat, we have the same one, and boy am I getting tired of carrying my huge baby around in it! So heavy! Santa's bringing his new car seat for him, I may switch earlier this time since he's so big!

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Louise Wood, California

9 January 2015 at 4:38am

Do German mothers have a tradition of singing Away in a Manger to their children?

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johanne hogg, United Kingdom

11 December 2014 at 5:19pm

good song for children just hate the man singing

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Larabee, USA

12 December 2013 at 6:12pm

trying to teach words to ggdaughter for Christmas plat thanks

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Izzy O., United States

21 December 2012 at 6:53pm

my sister is singing this song in choir

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Robyn Ley, United Kingdom

15 December 2012 at 2:08pm

I LOVE THIS SONG! I usually sing this song at school. It is quite sweet.xxx

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Evie, United Kingdom

5 December 2012 at 5:55pm

Away in a manger is a boring song I hate it because I like hip hop and pop like now 82 and now. 83

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Annabelle, United States

4 December 2012 at 4:08pm

When I was a child, I heard a version on a tape that someone gave to me, sung by a choir of either women or children, where there was an intro, which would also be sung in the background during the first and third verses. Also, the second verse shifted to the relative minor. For example, the first and third verses were in F-Major, and the second verse switched to D-Minor. Here's the extra part I was talking about. Sleep, sleep, sleep little Babe. We sing you a song. Sleep o sleep, sleep, sleep little babe. We sing you a song, sleep, o sleep.

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Ruby, United Kingdom

2 December 2012 at 8:04am

i love away in a manger i done that song when i was playing sarah in the nativity

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Mr Matyja, United Kingdom

1 February 2012 at 12:03am

We were singing this on our nativity in my school... Children loved it! :'D

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Timera, Jamaica

11 December 2011 at 4:40pm

I love this song. I am going to sing it at carol service at my school

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Hailey, Belize

30 November 2011 at 9:16pm

I know this song.I am singing it for my play in church.

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Zuzana, Czech Republic

10 November 2011 at 4:16pm

Hi, I´m looking for sheet music of this song. I would like to sing it and play on the piano with my kids. Can you help me where to find them? Thanks a lot!

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Mickie, American Samoa

27 September 2011 at 1:59am

i learned it this way away in a manger no crib or a bed liad little lord jesus rest his sweet little head the townsmen are coming to see the new born but little lord jesus laid sleeping till" morn

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Kimberley, United Kingdom

17 September 2011 at 11:03am

away in a manger is the best xxx

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Wan Kar, United Kingdom

24 April 2011 at 10:56pm

i only commented so everyone could see my name hehehe. boom

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Elisabeth, United States

7 April 2011 at 6:27pm

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I sing it all year!

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Eden Samuel, India

25 March 2011 at 12:40pm

This is a sweet song I ever heard during christmas

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Makensie, United States

26 February 2011 at 5:45pm

i'm going to sing carols at the mall next christmas with my friends and that is the first song i am going to sing!